The history of logos is long and storied. Brands and consumers alike adore them on their clothing and accessories.
Whether they are big and bold like Dolce & Gabbana’s approach or a simple interlocking initial like Gucci’s, the presence of logos has a stronghold on the industry. Logos have played a significant role with sunglasses in particular. They offer instant recognition and visual representation of a brand.
When you see a pair of sunglasses and the recognizable designer logo, you know you’re getting high-quality, luxurious, and stylish sunglasses.
A little logo history
One of the most famous logos, the popular LV of Louis Vuitton, dates back to the 1890s when the monogram was used to distinguish their coveted line of travel trunks. It was one of the earliest examples of fashion branding and one of the earliest initiatives to prevent counterfeiting.
Thirty years later, Prada utilized special permission to use the traditional Savoy coat of arms and figure-of-eight knot which remains on the logo today.
It wasn’t until Miuccia Prada, the granddaughter of the founder Mario, took the reins in 1978 and was inspired by the hardware on her grandfather’s trunk that she decided to print the current Prada logo in a triangular metal badge. She introduced the new logo on a black nylon bag and both the logo and the bag were instantly synonymous with the Prada brand.
For other logos, like Gucci, it’s difficult to determine the exact creation of the logo, however, it is known that the Double G’s are the initials of Guccio Gucci who founded the company in Florence and were adapted into the logo by his eldest son Aldo. It wasn’t until decades later that Gucci began branding its well-sought-after bags and clothing with them.
As one of the most recognizable logos, the iconic interlocking “C’s” of the Chanel logo was created by Gabrielle “Coco” Chanel herself in the early 1920s.
The logo was designed to represent both the initials of the brand’s founder, Coco Chanel, and the idea of elegance and simplicity that defined her vision for fashion. It was a visual representation of the brand’s identity—classic, timeless, and instantly recognizable. Chanel has only gained popularity since its inception and now the interlocking “C’s” are often interpreted as simplicity and luxury.
The rise of logo mania
In the 1990s and early 2000s, fashion began undergoing a seismic shift. Logos, once a subtle marker of a brand’s quality, exploded into prominence everywhere from haute couture to streetwear. It wasn’t just a singular trend; it was a strong indicator of society’s values and consumerism.
Following a time of robust economic growth, a growing middle class with disposable income was hungry for status symbols. Brands began to capitalize on this desire for symbols with strategically placed logos.
Wearing branded clothing or accessories soon began to show a symbol of status. Luxury brands like Louis Vuitton, Gucci, and Fendi, among others, capitalized on this trend by creating items that featured their logos in large, bold prints or distinctive designs. For consumers, wearing items with visible logos became a way to signal their affiliation with high-end fashion, and often, to assert social or economic status.
Sunglasses with logo pride
Sunglasses are the perfect accessory to show off your favorite logo and designer because they blend functionality and high-visibility branding. EZContacts offers your favorite designer sunglasses for less. Let’s look at some of our customers’ favorites.
